Best Mint Alternatives —
How to Choose and Master the Best Mint Alternatives for Your Financial Future
The unexpected closure of Mint, a beloved budgeting app for millions, left many users feeling adrift in the landscape of personal finance management If you’re among those seeking a new digital home for your financial data, you’re in the right place
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to not only find the best Mint alternatives but also seamlessly transition your financial tracking and master your new budgeting tool
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to evaluate your unique financial needs, navigate the diverse options available, safely migrate your precious financial history, and overcome common hurdles during the setup process
We’ll equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision and ensure your financial journey continues uninterrupted, perhaps even more efficiently than before No advanced technical skills are required, just a willingness to take control of your money management
Let’s transform this challenge into an opportunity for an even better financial future
Best Mint Alternatives: Step-by-Step Instructions
Transitioning to a new budgeting app can feel daunting, but by following a structured approach, you can make the process smooth and effective.
Best Mint Alternatives: 1. Assess Your Core Financial Needs and Priorities
Before diving into a sea of apps, take a moment to reflect on what you truly need from a budgeting tool.When discussing Best Mint Alternatives, Mint offered a broad range of features, but not all of them might have been critical to you.
* Identify Must-Have Features: * Budgeting Method: Do you prefer traditional envelope budgeting (like YNAB), the 50/30/20 rule (NerdWallet), or flexible spending plans (Simplifi) * Account Aggregation: Do you need to connect all types of accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, investments, loans)
* Net Worth Tracking: Is seeing your overall financial health important, including assets like real estate (Monarch, Copilot via Zillow) * Expense Categorization: How detailed do you need this to be
Do you want AI-powered categorization (Copilot) or robust customization (Monarch) * Goal Setting: Are you actively saving for specific goals (down payment, vacation, debt payoff) * Bill Tracking & Reminders: Do you rely on the app to alert you about upcoming payments
* Investment Tracking: How deeply do you want to monitor your portfolio performance * Credit Score Monitoring: Was this a key feature for you in Mint (NerdWallet offers this)
* Consider Your Budget: Are you looking for a free app (NerdWallet with ads) or willing to pay for premium features and an ad-free experience (Simplifi, Monarch, Copilot, YNAB)
* Platform Preference: Do you primarily use iOS, Android, or a web interface Some apps, like Copilot, started as mobile-first
2. Research and Shortlist Potential Alternatives
With your needs clearly defined, explore the market for apps that align with your priorities.When discussing Best Mint Alternatives, The source material highlights several strong contenders, each with its unique strengths.
* Quicken Simplifi: Ideal for those seeking a clean UI, easy setup, good income/bill detection, and shared account access It excels in simplicity while providing a comprehensive overview
* Monarch Money: Offers impressive granularity and detailed reporting, especially useful for those who want deep dives into their finances and robust asset tracking (including Zillow/car value integration)
It has a steeper learning curve but powerful features
* Copilot Money: A visually appealing, AI-powered option (currently iOS/Mac exclusive, with Android/web planned) Strong for transaction categorization and unique integrations like Amazon/Venmo
NerdWallet: A solid free* option that includes credit score monitoring and follows the 50/30/20 budgeting rule Be prepared for ads and less customization than paid apps
* YNAB (You Need A Budget): Perfect for those committed to a “zero-based budgeting” philosophy
It requires more intentional effort but can be transformative for controlling spending and achieving aggressive savings goals
Tip: Don’t just read reviews; consider the philosophy behind each app.When discussing Best Mint Alternatives, YNAB, for example, is fundamentally different from a passive tracking app.
3. Export Your Financial Data from Mint
This is a critical step to preserve your financial history. Mint’s shutdown means direct migration tools will eventually cease to function, so downloading your data as a CSV file is essential.
1 Log in to Mintcom: Access your account before the final shutdown date
2 Navigate to Transactions: On the left-side menu, click “Transactions”
3 Select Accounts (Optional but Recommended): You can choose “all accounts” or select individual accounts
For easier import into your new app, downloading per account might be beneficial
4 Export Transactions: Look for the “export [number] transactions” link, usually in smaller print towards the bottom of the transaction list
Click it to download your CSV file
5 Repeat for Other Data (if available): Some users also export categories, budgets, or investment data if their chosen alternative supports more than just transaction import
Check Mint’s specific export options if available beyond transactions
Warning: Save your CSV files in a secure, backed-up location. This data is invaluable for historical analysis and setting up your new app.
4. Trial and Connect Your New Budgeting App
Most paid apps offer free trials. Use this opportunity to test the waters before committing.
1 Sign Up for a Free Trial: Choose one or two apps from your shortlist and sign up for their trial periods
2 Connect Your Bank Accounts: * Within the new app, locate the “Add Account” or “Connect Bank” option
* You’ll likely be prompted to use a financial data aggregator like Plaid, MX, or Finicity * Search for your bank or financial institution * Enter your online banking credentials
* Complete Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Be prepared for multiple 2FA prompts from both the aggregator (sometimes) and your bank This is a security measure * Review Connected Accounts: Ensure all desired accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, investments) are successfully linked
3 Initial Data Sync: Your new app will begin pulling in recent transaction history This might take some time depending on the number of accounts and transactions
Tip: If an app struggles to connect to a specific bank via Plaid, check if it offers alternative aggregators (like Monarch Money does). Sometimes, switching aggregators can resolve connection issues.
5. Import Your Mint Data and Customize
This is where your exported Mint CSV comes in handy. It’s often the most time-consuming part, but crucial for continuity.
1 Locate Import Feature: Find the “Import Transactions” or “Upload CSV” option in your new app
2 Upload Your CSV File(s): Follow the app’s instructions for uploading your exported Mint data
* Match Fields: You may need to map columns from your CSV (Date, Description, Amount, Category) to the app’s required fields * Account Assignment: Assign imported transactions to their correct accounts within the new app
3 Review and Recategorize Transactions: * Your new app’s auto-categorization might not perfectly match your Mint categories * Manually review recent transactions and adjust categories as needed * Create Custom Rules: Set up rules to automatically categorize future transactions from specific merchants or with certain keywords
This is where AI-driven apps like Copilot shine, learning from your corrections
4 Set Up Budgets and Goals: * Recreate your budgets based on your Mint history and your new app’s budgeting philosophy
* Establish or re-establish your financial goals (savings, debt payoff)
5 Configure Recurring Transactions: Identify and mark recurring bills and subscriptions This helps the app accurately forecast your “income after bills” (Simplifi) or allocate funds (YNAB)
Original Value: This step emphasizes the active role the user plays in making the new app truly theirs, going beyond just importing data to teaching the app their financial habits.
Troubleshooting
Even with the best preparation, you might encounter some bumps along the road. Here are common